Locomotive drifting device.



G. w.-wYMAN.

LocoMonvE nmmNG DEVICE. APPLICATION'FILED APR. I9. 1916.

Patented Jan. 16, 1917.

omen.

GEORGE W. WYMAN, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.

LOCOMOTIVE DBIFTING DEVICE.

Specification of Lettersr Patent.

Patented Jan. 1e, 1917.

Application illed April 19, 1916. Serial No. 92,120.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE W. WYMAN, acitizen of the United States, residing at Vilmington, in the county ofNew Castle and State of Delaware, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Locomotive Drifting Devices, of which the following is aspecification.

The invention relates to devices for permitting a limited supply ofsteam to flow to the steamchests and cylinders of the locomotive whenthe throttle-valve is closed and the engine is drifting. By thisintroduction of steam the formation of a vacuum in the cylinder andchest is avoided, the desired lubrication is insured and carbonizing isprevented. It is generally recognized that such auxiliary supply isdesirable in all types of locomotives and especially in-engines usingsuperheated steam. It-is also desirable under certain conditions thatsuch supply shall cease when the locomotive is stopped, thus preventinga possible accumulation of pressure in the cylinders, but is mainly ofadvantage in avoiding the escape of steam around the valve stems andpistonrods, or other leakage, while the locomotive is at rest.

The object of this invention is to provide automatically operated meanswhereby the required limited quantity of steam is supplied to thevalvechests and cylinders while drifting, and such supply is cut 0H whenthe locomotive is stopped. l

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction andarrangements of parts, by which the above objects are attained, to behereinafter described and claimed.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and show anapproved form of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation showingthe application of the invention toa locomotive. The latter is only partially shown. The succeeding figuresare on a larger scale. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section showingthe valve mechanism for controlling the auxiliary steam supply. Fig. 3is a corresponding elevation at a right angle to the preceding ligure,and partly in vertical section. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken onthe line 4-4 in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on the line5--5 in Fig. 2, and partly in elevation. Fig. 6 is an elevation showlngcertain piston valves and their connections.

the header C at any desired Similar letters o f reference indicate thesame parts in all the figures.

Referring to Fig. 1, A is the boiler of a locomotive, shown by thedotted lines as having a dry-pipe B joined to the header C of asuperheater, and having steam pipes as D, leading from the superheaterto the steam chests D1 and cylinders D2. All these parts may be of anyapproved type.

At the rear of the boiler within the cab is a connection A1 which may bethe usual turret or bridge, from which extends a pipe L leading to avalve mechanism to be described, and thence through the pipe M to orconvenient point thereon or to any connection through which steam may beled to the steamchest D1 and Ycylinder D2. By connecting to -the headerC of the superheater, auxiliary steam is supplied to both sides of thelocomotive through the one pipe M. Admission (of saturated steam fromthe boiler to the pipe L is controlled by a ,valve L1 in the cab.

The valve mechanism for automatically controlling the auxiliary flow ofsteam through the pipes L and M to the valvechests and cylinders. iscontained in a casing F introduced alongside the boiler near the front,between the pipes L and M by any suitable couplings, and has a verticalextension F1 on which is a bonnet F5. The casing F has a diaphragm orpartition F2 in which is a valve-seat F3 for a vertically movablecheck-valve G mounted in axial alinement with'the extension F1 andbonnet F5, and between the valve-seat F3 and pipe M, in the chamber 'f1is a valve-seat F* adapted to receive a horizontally movable checkvalve'H. The valve G. is arranged to shut olf communication from the pipe Lthrough the passage fand valve-seat F3, and the checkvalve H is arrangedto shut off communication between the space below the valve-seat F8 andipe M.

The valve H matches to the horizontal chamber or cylinder f1 in which itis mounted and has a packing-ring H1. The valve H is ided by a stem H2received in the central oss of a spider-frame H8 which also serves as astop to limit the outward movement of the valve. At the outer end of thechamber f1 are by-passes or portsA f2 formed in the casing and adaptedto permit steam to flow from one face of the valve H to the other whenthe latter is in its outward position, and pass to the steam-chest.

y'from the passage f through the bonnet is an The vertical valve G has astem G1 extending upwardly and carries at its upper end a piston Jmovable vertically in the cylinder j in the bonnet F5 in unison with themovements of the valve G. The latter is also fitted piston-wise in itschamber g above the valve-seat and separated from the cylinder j by 'ahorizontal disk K through which the valvestem G1' passes.

In the wall of the 'extension and bonnet is a, vertical steam passage7'2 leading steam an inlet port js to the cylinder y', vandontheopposite side of exhaust passage 7'4 in communication with thecylinder j through the ports 'j j and to the atmosphere through the portor opening i7 in the cylinder j between the horizontal check-valve G andthe under face of its piston J. The thickness of piston J is such, andthe inlet port 7'3 and exhaust ports i5, je are so located relativelythereto, that when the piston vis down, as

shown in full lines in Fig. 2, and the valve G is seated, the inlet porti3 is open and the lowermost exhaust port je is closed permitting steamfrom the boiler to fill the passages jz j* and the cylinder j above thepiston; and when the piston is raised to the position shown in dottedlines in Fig. 2, the.

inlet port is covered and both exhaust ports uncovered, permitting thesteam imprisoned above the piston to flow through the port j passage j*and port j to the space below the piston whence it escapes freelythrough the opening j7 which is always open to the atmosphere.

N is a spring encircling the stem Gr1 and abutting against the disk K,serving by its slight expansive force against the piston J to lift thevalve G from its seat and also to cushion the valve in its seatingmovement.

IThe spring N is inclosed and guided in a sleeve N1 on the disk K.

P is a plunger mounted to move vertically in a plug P1 of the bonnet F"5and containing a spring P2 abutting at one end against a collar P3 onthe plunger' and at the other against an adjustable screw cap orfollower Pi on the plug, and exerting its force to hold the plungeryieldingly downward with its lower end projecting axially through theplug P1. The plunger receives the impact of the piston on its upwardmovement and the force thus stored in the spring P2 serves to initiatethe downward movement of the piston J and valve G, as will appear.

yOn the inner face of the horizontal checkvalve H is an arm or extensionH4 having an inclined face la, adapted to strike against and coact witha downwardly extending pin G2 on the valve G and lift the latter as thevalve H approaches its seat F4 and hold the valve G and its connectedpiston J in the elevated position until the outward movescrewedcentrally into the top I Lerares ment of the valve H permits the pin G2again to ride down the beveled face h of the arm H4'. A ball G3 looselymounted at the lower end of the pin G2 serves as a roller to reduce thefrictional contact of the pin and arm. The latter is shown asrectangular in face view and is guided in a corresponding notch f3 in aboss F6 formed on the interior of the casing F. This engagement with thenotch prevents rotation of the arm and insures proper presentation ofthe beveled face to the ball G3. The inlet port ja from the passage j2is controlled by a screw J1 by which the effective area of the port maybe varied.

-It will be seen that the inward movement of the valve H raises thevalve G from its seat :nd permits steam to flow from the pipe L throughrthe valveseat F 3, and at the same time raises the piston J to coverthe inlet port ja and open the exhaust ports j j.

The operation may be briefly described as follows :*When the locomotiveis running normally with the throttle open, the pressure Ain the steampipe D acting through the pipe M on the large area of the horizontalcheckvalve H forces the latter to its kseat thus shutting offcommunication through the pipes L and M, and by the action of theinclined face k on the pin G2 holds the vertical checkvalve G and itspiston J in the elevated position with the inlet port js covered, asshown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

When the throttle is closed, as when the engine is drifting, thepressure in the pipes D and M falls and steam from the boiler throughthe pipe L and valve-seat F 3 acting upon the inner vface of the valve Hforces it outwardly to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2, whilethe vertical checkvalve G is held in the partially elevated position bythe spring N and steam flows freely through the pipe L, valveseat F 3,chamber f1, ports f2 to the pipe M and thence to the steamchests andcylinders to supply the required volume of wet steam; the vertical valveG is held from its seat by the slight force of the spring N although theinlet port is uncovered, for the reason that the idle reciprocations ofthe pistons in the cylinders of the engine call for more steam than canbe supplied through the pipes L and M and consequently draws from allsources, resulting in a reduction of pressure on the upper face of thepiston J below that required to -force the piston downwardly against theoppassages f and je, and inlet port js, builds` H is also considerablygreater than that of' the valve H matches' 'f1 its outward movement iseffected easily and positively. The

the piston J, and as closely in its'cylinder inlet port 'j3 and exhaustport j are so liocated that the. former is c overed bythe piston Jbefore 4the latter is uncovered, and when the exhaust port j is open,lsteam from .A above the piston escapes freely.

ated by boiler pressure and .The spring I2 serves as an aid to gravityin insuring the initial'downward movement of the piston J far enough touncover vthe inlet' port 7'3- as soon as the piston J and valve G arereleased by the 'withdrawal of the arm H4, but the spring I2 and itsplunger P may be omitted, relying upon the partsA alone toinduc'e thedescent. Other modifications may be made in the forms and proportions'of the parts, and in the relative arrangements of the checkvalves andseveral ports and passages in adapting the invention to various types oflocomotives.

I claim :f- 1 In a device ofthe character set forth, an augiiliary pipeleading steam from the boiler to the steamchest of an engine, a

checkvalve in :said pipe actuated by steami chest pressure and adaptedto 'close said casingv Vhaving 4a passage` pipe, a second checkv'alve insaid pipe actusaid pipe, and means operated by the differone'of` saidond when the engine is unning, closing said second valve and 'openingthe other when the en ine is stopped, and holding both of said va vesopen when the engine is drifting.

2. In a dev-ice of the character set forth, an auxiliarypipe leadingsteam Afrom the boiler to the steamchest V of an engine,v a

checkvalve' in said' pipe subject to .steamichest pressure and arrangedto seat in one direction and close said pipe, a second checkvalve insaid pipe actuatedby boiler pressure in said pipe. and` arranged to seatin the opposite direction'and close'said pipe, and means automaticallyoperated by thel difference in such pressures for closing one'of saidvalves and opening the second when the engine is running, closing saidsecond valve and opening the other when the engine is stopped,and'holding'both of said'valves open when the engine is drifting,

3. In a device of the character set forth, an auxiliary pipe leadingsteam from the boiler to the steamchest of an engine, a checkvalve insaid pipe subject to steamthe areaof the piston J v 'arranged to seatin.

"first of said checkvalves second when the engine is running,

f an auxiliary pipe weight of the seats to close said pipe adapted toclose of an engine,

ence in such pressures for automatically closvalve arranged to valves.-and opening the `sec-'- boiler by 'a downward movement, a

movable v'checkvalve arranged to close -direction and close said pipe, asecond checkvalve in said pipe of less area than the-'irst, the oppositedirection Aand actuated by boiler and means actuated by checkvalve foropenand close said pipe,l pressure in said pipe, the closing of saidfirst ing said second checkva'lve, ated by the difference in effectivepressures on said valves for automatically closing the and' opening thei closing the second of said checkvalves and opening the first when -theengine is stopped,'and opening both of said checkvalves when the engineis drifting.

,4. `In a device of the' character set forth,

leading steam from the boiler to the steamchest of an engine, a casingin said pipe having two oppositely arranged valveseats therein, acheckvalve on the steamchest side of said casing arranged to eoac't withone ofr said seats to close said pipe `under steamchest pressure, asecond checkvalve on the boiler side of said casing arranged to coact.with ,the other of said and Aoperated by the closboiler pressure,j meansactuated b valve for ing movement-ofsad rst chec opening said ,secondcheckvalve, yielding .means for supporting,`

said -second checkvalvev in the openv position, and means subject ltoboiler ressure and acting in opposition to said yielding means forclosing said second checkvalve.

communication at vone end with asteam boiler and at the other 'with thesteamchest a Vvertically movable checkclose vsaid passage from such vboiler byja .downward movement, a horizontally movable checkval'vearranged toV closeis'aid passage to such steamchest by a movementtoward'said verticalvalve, a piston carried by. said vertical valve andmovablevertically in a cylinder in said'casing, said cylinder havingexhaust orts, and an inlet -port' in'communication w-i't such boiler,said ports arranged ito -be opened and closed by themovements of saidpiston, and means carried by said horizontal valve forlifting saidvertical valve and. piston by the closingmovement of said horizontalvalve.'

6 In a device'of the character. setforth, 4a casing having a passagetherethrough y in' ycommunication at one end with a steamV boiler and atthe other end with the steamchest of an engine, a vertically movablecheckvalve closing such passage'from such horizontally said passagetosuch steamchest by a movement toward 4said vertical valve, a pistoncarried by said vertical valveand movable chest pressure'fand.larrangedto-seat in one and means operv ioo 5. In adeviceof'the-'character set forth, a

therethrough in ros vertically in a cylinder Ain said casing, saidcylinder having exhaust ports, and an lnlet port 1n communication w1thsuch bo1ler,sa1d

ports arranged to be opened and closed by the movements of said piston,a pin on said vertical valve extending through its seat, and an arm onsaid horizontal valve having an inclined face adapted to engage said pinand lift said vertical valve and piston by the closing movement of saidhorizontal valve.

7. In a device of the character set forth, a casing having a passagetherethrough in communication -at oneI end with a steam boiler and atthe other with the steamchest of an engine, a vertically movablecheckvalve arranged to close said passage from such boiler by a downwardmovement, a horizontally movable checkvalve arranged to close saidpassage to such steamchest by a movement toward said vertical valve, avalve-stem on the latter, a piston mounted on said valve-stem, a disk insaid 'casing between said vertical valve and piston, a cylinder in saidcasing receiving said piston, said cylinder having exhaust ports, and aninlet port in communication with such boiler, said ports arranged to beopened and closed by the movements'of said piston, means carried by saidhorizontal vertical valve and piston by the closing movement of saidhorizontal valve, and a spring on said disk arranged to hold saidvertical valve yieldingly from its seat until forced theretoby pressureon said piston.

8. In a device of the character set forth, a casing having a passagetherethrough in communication at one end with a steam boiler and at theother with the steamchest of an engine, a vertically movable checkvalvearranged to close said passage from such boiler by a downward movement,a horizontally movable checkvalve arranged to close said passage to suchsteamchest by a movement toward said vertical valve, a valve-stem on thelatter, a piston mounted on said valve-stem, a disk in said casingbetween said vertical valve and piston, acylinderv in said casingreceiving said piston, said cylinder having exhaust ports, and an inletport in communication with such boiler, saidports arranged to be openedand closed by the movements of said piston, means carried by saidhorizontal valve for lifting said vertical valve and piston by .thevclosing movement of said horizontal valve, a spring on said diskarranged to hold said vertical valve yieldingly from its seat untilforced downwardly by steam pressure on said piston, anda sprlng 1n saidcasing above said piston arranged to act upon said piston and initiatesuch downward movement.

9. In a device of the character set forth, a casing having a passagetherethrough in communication at one end witha steam boiler and at theother with the steamvalve for lifting said' a vertically movablecheckvalve arranged to close said passage from such boilerjby a downwardmovement, a horizontally movable checkvalve arranged to close saidpassage to such steamchest by a movement toward said vertical valve, apiston carried by said vertical valve and movable vertically in acylinder in said casing, said cylinder having exhaust ports, and aninlet port in communication with such boiler, said ports arranged to beopened and closed by the movements of said piston, an arm on saidhorizontal valve having an inclined face,a guide in said casingreceiving said arm, a pin on said vertical valve projecting through itsseat with its lower end in the path of said arm, said arm and pinarranged to serve in lifting said vertical valve by the closing movementof said horizontal valve.V

10. In a device of the character set forth, a casing having a passagetherethrough in communication at one end with a steam boiler and at theother with the steamchest of an engine, a vertically movable checkvalvearranged t-o close said passage from such boiler by a downward movement,a horizontally movable checkvalve arranged to close said passage to suchsteamchest by a movement toward said vertical valve, a piston carried bysaid vertical valve and movable vertically in a cylinder in said casing,said cylinder having exhaust ports, and

chest of an engine,

y an inlet port 1n communication Wit-h such boiler, said ports arrangedto be opened and closed by the movements of said piston, and meanscarried by said horizontal valve for lifting said vertical valve andpiston by the closing movement of said horizontal valve, said pistonhaving an area greater than said vertical valve, and said horizontalvalve having an area greater than said piston.

11. In a device of the character set forth, a casing having a passagetherethrough, two independently movable checkvalves controlling suchpassage, and means carried by one of said valves and 'operable in itsclosing movement, for opening the other of said valves.

12. In a device of the character set forth, a casing having a passagetherethrough, two independently movable checkvalves controlling suchpassage, a cylinder in said casing, a piston carried by one ofsaidvalves and received in said cylinder, and means carried by the otherof said valves and operable in its closing movement, for lifting saidpiston and its connected valve. v

13. In a device of the character set forth, a casing having a passagetherethrough, two independently ling such passage, a cylinder in saidcasing, a piston carried by one of said valves and received in saidcylinder, means carried by the other of said valves and operable in itsmovable checkvalves control- IBO closing movement, for lifting saidpiston and its connected valve, and a spring serving to supportyieldingly said piston and its valve when the latter is released by thewithdrawal of such lifting means.

14. In a device of the character set-forth, a casing having a passagetherethrough, tWo independently movable checkvalves controlling suchpassage, a cylinder in said casing, a piston carried by one of saidvalves and received in said cylinder, means carried by the other of saidvalves and operable in its when the latter is released by closingmovement, for lift-ing said piston and its connected valve, a springserving to support yieldingly said piston and its valve the Withdrawalof such lifting means, and a spring in said casing serving to initiatethe return movement of said piston and its valve when thus released.

In testimony that I .claim the invention abovel set forth I aliX mysignature.

GEORGE W. WYMAN.

